Delhi Metro submits DPRs for Rs 5,587 Crore Metrolite corridors

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): To connect outer Delhi with the main metro rail network, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has submitted the detailed project reports (DPRs) for two Metrolite corridors connecting Rithala to Narela (21.7km) and Kirti Nagar to Dwarka Sector 25 ECC (19km) to Delhi government for approval. According to the plan, DMRC has set a deadline of 2023-24 to complete both Metrolite corridors and expected to start construction work on the Rithala - Narela Metrolite corridor first. However, both Metrolite corridors are already approved by the Central government cabinet. The Metrolite is an advanced version of Tram, which will be operated at the grade level on roads. However, DMRC will provide fencing on both sides of the corridor. DMRC thinks that if the road shared with other modes of vehicles then the speed of Metrolite would have reduced.

Project Cost

According to the report, the Rithala - Narela and Kirti Nagar - Dwarka Sector 25 (ECC) Metrolite corridors will cost Rs 2,914 crore and Rs 2,673 crore respectively. Out of which, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is expected to share Rs 200 crore for the Rithala - Narela Metrolite corridor as this corridor will provide some much-needed connectivity to its Narela sub-city. As compared to other Metro rail systems, the Metrolite project will reduce the overall project cost by nearly 50%. As the Metrolite will run mostly on roads, the cost that could be incurred for elevated or underground corridors will not be included. The DMRC has also tried to propose a Metrolite system for two other corridors of Phase IV of the Delhi Metro Rail project - Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block (7.9km) and Inderlok-Indraprastha (12.5km) - but did not found feasible due to high population density and increasing traffic on roads.

Metrolite features

A Metrolite system will have a three-coach train and it can accommodate 300 passengers at a time which will be sufficient to handle the passenger traffic on this route. However, in case of an increase in passenger footfalls, the two Metrolite trainsets could be joined to make a six-coach train and can comfortably accommodate 600 passengers at a time. The Metrolite system will be operated by drawing 25kV power from overhead traction.

Procurement process initiated

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has initiated the tendering process for the procurement of 22 Metrolite trainsets for the Kirti Nagar-Dwarka ECC corridor to check the interset of Rolling Stock manufacturer and suppliers on this project. For more details, please read our Delhi Metrolite section.